How long is the event?

The session runs for approximately two hours, with presentations and a discussion period.

The meeting point is 290 Walsh Street, South Yarra, Victoria AU 3141—arrive early to check bags.

Is the building wheelchair accessible?

Walsh Street is a heritage building and cannot be modified to achieve universal access; email information@robinboyd.org.au for tailored mobility support.

Are there age restrictions?

Yes, attendees must be 16 years and over.

Can I bring food or large bags?

No external food or drink is permitted; large bags and backpacks will need to be checked at entry.

Are there discounts available?

Yes—discounted tickets are offered to RBF Friends and Boyd Circle members; bring proof at entry.

inside-robin-boyds-walsh-street-the-domestic-project-in-south-yarra | Guided Tour | Walking Tour

At 290 Walsh Street in South Yarra, Victoria, The Domestic Project offers a rare chance to stand inside one of Robin Boyd’s most talked-about domestic experiments and to hear contemporary architects rethink the home. For two hours at Walsh Street—an intact example of mid-century Australian domestic modernism—Hugh Goad, Naomi Brennan and Marie Le Touze lead a conversation about how houses change through use, material choices and intentional impermanence. The program opens with short case-study presentations: Goad brings insights from small-scale, economical projects; Bush Studio’s Brennan and Le Touze discuss temporary and landscape-led work. Together they trace a theme common to Boyd’s practice and to present-day small-architecture practice: the house as a working apparatus shaped by constraint, repair and adaptation. Expect close readings of materials—brick, timber and cork floors—and candid talk about retrofit, longevity and the balance between economy and craft. Walsh Street is offered as both setting and subject. The address at 290 Walsh Street South Yarra, Victoria AU 3141 is the meeting point; the building’s heritage status means the foundation cannot alter access or facilities, so note the accessibility details before you arrive. Attendees are asked to respect house rules: no external food or drink, large bags checked at entry and avoid stiletto or pointed heels on cork floors. This is a 16-plus event. The Domestic Project is the first in the series "new modes of practice." Supported by Brickworks Building Products, Konpira Maru Wines and Yumbo Soda, the evening blends rigorous argument with the conviviality of a focused public talk. If you’re a designer, builder or curious homeowner, you’ll leave with practical ideas about material choice, adaptive reuse and modest interventions that age well. Beyond the lecture, South Yarra invites a quick wander. Take a few minutes to walk the nearby streets to see how small interventions accumulate in an inner-Melbourne suburb: shopfronts, bluestone gutters and compact terraces give context to Boyd’s domestic experiments. Accessibility queries or tailored mobility support requests should be sent to [email protected] in advance. Tickets include access to the talk; discounts are available to RBF Friends and Boyd Circle members. Large groups should plan transport carefully—street parking is limited—and arrive early to check bags. Whether you come for architectural history, technical tradecraft or a sharp conversation about how houses perform over time, The Domestic Project offers a focused, pragmatic evening inside a landmark of Australian domestic design. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at 290 Walsh Street and allow time for bag storage; the session runs for two hours. Member discounts require proof at entry. This evening is built for close listening and practical takeaways—sketches, questions and follow-up reading are encouraged—making it ideal for professionals and passionate home-owners alike.

About Robin Boyd Foundation

Robin Boyd Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting the life, work and legacy of Australian architect Robin Boyd. Based in South Yarra, Victoria, the Foundation manages Boyd’s 1957 Walsh Street residence and archives, delivering guided tours, talks, walking tours and creative workshops that connect visitors with modernist architecture and Melbourne’s built history.

The Foundation offers a range of experiences: guided tours of the Walsh Street house, evening events such as Sunset Cocktails at Walsh Street, themed talks on modern design and conservation, neighbourhood walking tours through South Yarra, and drop-in drawing sessions that pair architectural insight with sketching and photography. Each program is led by experienced guides, architects and guest speakers who present research-based commentary and curated access to Boyd’s preserved home and materials.

As a custodian of a significant heritage property and archive, the Foundation collaborates with conservation specialists, historians and design practitioners to ensure accurate interpretation and careful site stewardship. Its events are rooted in documented scholarship on post-war modernism and local architectural history, providing reliable context for students, professionals and the general public.

Visitors can expect small-group formats, focused storytelling and opportunities to photograph and study Walsh Street’s distinctive modernist features. The Foundation’s stewardship of the property, structured programming and partnerships with experts underpin its reputation as an authoritative resource on Robin Boyd and mid-20th-century Australian design.

Public programs are scheduled seasonally and include limited-capacity events, making bookings recommended for visitors seeking guided access to Walsh Street and related exhibitions and archival displays.

inside-robin-boyds-walsh-street-the-domestic-project-in-south-yarra

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